Summary

Townsville-based sculptor Elizabeth “Jane” Hawkins (formerly McBurnie) was born in Ayr, North Queensland in 1958. Having studied sculpture under noted Australian sculptor, Len Shillam, and attained teaching qualifications in 1979, Hawkins taught drawing and sculpture at TAFE and later lectured in visual arts at James Cook University (JCU). In the early years her personal practice was largely informed by an interest in the human form and psyche. This evolved into an interest in combinations of found objects and created forms reminiscent of childhood toys, nursery rhymes and memories, including the figurative. While Hawkins’ later works focused on observations of and interaction with the environment, she also completed several major public sculpture commissions. Among these were a statue of Robert Towns for Townsville, the Brandon War Memorial, the Collinsville Mine Memorial, and the Cairns Anzac Memorial. Hawkins also contributed the final design of JCU’s ceremonial mace.